Indianapolis 500 Milk Bottle

The Drink of Milk in Victory Lane
For over 70 years, winners of the Indianapolis 500 have celebrated in Victory Lane (now Victory Circle) with a hearty swig from an ice-cold bottle of milk – a ceremony recognized around the world as unique to the Indy 500.
In an interview shortly before his death in 1995, Meyer recalled that his favorite beverage during his driving years was buttermilk and that’s what he asked for following the second of his three wins. Three years later, on the occasion of his third 500-Mile victory, he was photographed drinking milk in Victory Lane. Several years after that, the Bottle of Milk became a permanent part of the post-race celebration when Anton “Tony” Hulman decided that milk was a wholesome and appropriate beverage for Victory Lane festivities. For those who may be wondering what the winning driver drinks, it’s no longer buttermilk. Today, it’s delicious, nutrient rich, ice-cold milk served in a glass quart bottle.
The American Dairy Association of Indiana and its Indiana dairy farm families are responsible for ensuring that the Victory Circle tradition endures and prospers. In fact, Sports Illustrated magazine has recognized the bottle of milk given annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 as No. 1 among the "sports world's coolest prizes."

Think back to your childhood and those fond memories. Do you think of ice cream on a hot summer day? I remember peeking outside the window after hearing the oh so familiar jingle of the ice cream truck. My heart skipping a beat, I would make a mad dash to the change jar to get enough money for a chocolate éclair or ice cream sandwich. Flying out the door, shoes or not, and running towards the highlight of my day – ice cream. Continue reading →

The following is the perspective from Rebecca Roberts, who holds degrees from Indiana University with BA in biology and MS in Nutrition Science. She grew up in Eastern Greene County Indiana and has a 4 year-old son. Rebecca earned hours towards her professional certification working in nutrition at the Dairy Council of Indiana earlier this summer.

When I heard that we were going on a tour of a dairy farm in Whiteland, IN I never expected to be greeted by a young mother with three kids. Amy Kelsay was anything but what you would envision as most people’s image of a dairy farmer. She’s young, dynamic and very well-spoken. Continue reading →

Deb Osza, General Manager of MPSI & American Dairy Association of Indiana, shares her experience working with Miss America Katie Stam, who recently became a spokesperson for Indiana’s dairy farm families.

Katie Stam, Miss America, knows a dairy farmer’s dedication and commitment to milk quality, dairy cows and the land first hand. Katie, Indiana’s first Miss America, knows the value of hard work and dedication from growing up in a dairy farm family. Katie’s grandparents milked dairy cows and Katie’s parents helped every single day. Katie and her siblings helped to take care of the calves several times each week, along with helping in the milking parlor. Like many dairy farm kids, she has drive and determination. Continue reading →